Dear Community Leaders: 

I am writing to share with you an important update from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

In accordance with section 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C.5121-5207 (the “Stafford Act”), eligible emergency protective measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 emergency at the direction or guidance of public health officials may be reimbursed under Category B of FEMA’s Public Assistance program. FEMA will not duplicate assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or other federal agencies.

State, territorial, tribal, and local government entities and certain private non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for Public Assistance. FEMA assistance will be provided at a 75 percent federal cost share. This assistance will require execution of a FEMA-State/Tribal/Territory Agreement, as appropriate, and execution of an applicable emergency plan. Local governments and other eligible PA applicants will apply through their respective state, tribal or territorial jurisdictions.

Under the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration described above, FEMA may provide assistance for emergency protective measures including, but not limited to, the following, if not funded by the HHS/CDC or other federal agency. While some activities listed may be eligible for funding through HHS/CDC, final reimbursement determinations will be coordinated by HHS and FEMA. FEMA will not duplicate any assistance provided by HHS/CDC:

• Management, control and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety:

• Emergency medical care:

• Medical sheltering (e.g. when existing facilities are reasonably forecasted to become overloaded in the near future and cannot accommodate needs)

• Household pet sheltering and containment actions related to household pets in accordance with CDC guidelines

• Purchase and distribution of food, water, ice, medicine, and other consumable supplies, to include personal protective equipment and hazardous material suits

• Movement of supplies and persons

• Security and law enforcement

• Communications of general health and safety information to the public

• Search and rescue to locate and recover members of the population requiring assistance

• Reimbursement for state, tribe, territory and/or local government force account overtime costs

Further information about eligible emergency protective measures can be found in the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide.

Sincerely,

James P. McGovern 
Member of Congress